Monday, January 30, 2012

SEOUL trip : Story behind Arrival

I went over my blog and I didn't see posts regarding our HK new year celebration 2010. Shame, I could have shared a great and blessed moments to everyone but, I am not going to miss sharing another blessing when we went to Seoul for Christmas 2011.

We left Singapore Dec 22 at 10 AM via China Eastern (CE). Aside from using the terminal 3 at the Changi airport, there is really nothing special with CE. Actually, we won't be taking the same airlines next time, although the food and service are okay, but the transfer is a hassle and the planes are small. When you have small planes, turbulence became part of your flight - you wouldn't like it.


So we arrived in Seoul around 9 PM - that is 8 PM SG/HK/PH time. We landed safe and thank God not too tired but we were confuse how to go to the baggage claim counter - quiet challenging. We didn't see any useful signage so we just went with the crowd until one local with a friendly smile affirmed that we are going the right way. We took the train from the arrival hall going to where our luggage are. While on transit, this local was even helpful to ask us if we already know what bus to take from the airport. We have our cheat sheet, my copy of what/where/how on the itinerary but we were still open to her suggestions.

Everything was going good until we arrived at the baggage claim area and knew about the sad truth that we can't find our bags. I thought they were just joking, that all of a sudden someone will come running to us saying that, "Hey, dont worry now, your luggage are here!" But NO. The Aseana team spoke to us and told us our bags were left in Singapore and will be in Seoul tomorrow afternoon. And I dont know what to do. I spoke to CE customer support and they were not even apologetic of what happened. They say they are giving us 50USD for the hassle. Wow, thank you but I  need our bags! *cry*

We were just thankful because I have my daughter's small bag with extra clothes and milk but her vitamins and emergency medicines are all in her luggage. Also grateful that we decided to bring all our winter jackets with us because we thought we will be transiting via China which was on 1 deg cel coldness - so we have to tag along our jackets with us. Buti na lang talaga because when we went outside, it was freezing cold.
 We took bus 6103 going to Gangnam and from there our host came to fetch us.  Into her WV convertible car then off to her posh pad.

To be continued...



Blessings ♥

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Todai Intenational Buffet at MBS with friends

Yesterday my family met with our long time friends, Rocky and Karlo. We knew each other since 2003, we were hired, trained and worked together at Link2Support. They are really very close to us. We travel to beaches together, we witnessed Karlo serenading Rocky during our training at work and even witnessed Karlo's wedding proposal - just a shame we were not able to attend their wedding but we still see each other even after relocating here in Singapore. Rocky would have business trips here and when we visit Manila we make sure we meet them.

Rocky has been assigned permanently to work here in Singapore and since her arrival we have been planning to meet but because of busy December schedule it was only yesterday that we had our chance. We had lunch at Todai (read: toe-die) at Marina Bay Sands. I have high expectation with this "eat all you can" restaurant because I have heard and read its good reputation not mentioning it's high price. See: http://todai.3viewsolution.com/hours


2nd/3rd pic from the website
 And it didn't fail me! They have quite a good spread of food -  Korea, Japanese, Chinese, Western and Italian. Every bit of what I get is really delicious! My favorite of all is the chilly crab and the grilled pork ribs. Yuuummmmm...




 I don't want to miss this, cute! Yes, Ratatouille! Hehe
 And they serve rocks as well.  LOL. That's very unusualbut those are volcanic rocks that regulates the heat on the buffet heater - they said.

I indulge with the dessert as well. I just love the ice cream over my waffle plus some chocolote syrup and of course the very sweet Korean strawberry.


And those are our friends outside Marina Bay Sands mall. :) Great time.

See you again guys!






Blessings ♥

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Taiwan in 2013

Last year, we celebrated our New Year celebration (Dec 26- January 1, 2011) in the crowded Victoria Harbour waterfront in Hong Kong TST where the Avenue of Stars is located. December 21-27 2011, just last month, we were in Seoul to celebrate Christmas. When you look at it, parang 2x in 2011 kami nag travel. I thought we only planned to go abroad once every year? Not good. Well, you know what I  mean if you want to mention budget. Nevertheless, thank God for the provision.

I will be sharing our Seoul pictures soon. I will just save time to do it.

Well right now, I am contemplating of going to Taiwan but because of the above analysis, this will be moved to 2013. I was hoping to experience New Year in Australia 11 months from now but again because of the above, it won't push through. Travel will be done starting 2013. Baket ba kasi 2 sa isang taon? wala sa usapan yun! Anyway, why Taiwan? It's because I want to experience the Sky Lantern festival.

I don't know what's with sky lanterns but even before the Tangled movie, I just find it enchanting, sky lanterns have emotional effect on me. So I was researching and found out about Pingxi, Taiwan lantern festival. People write their wishes and prayers on the lanterns and let it fly in the sky.

photo credit: http://www.culture.tw/
A seller in Facebook is selling sky lanterns and I want to buy a lot but I don't know if we can actually fly lanterns in the skies of Singapore. Kill Joy! So today, I will focus myself on preparing for the great reward, I will give myself the chance to experience the worlds famous sky lantern in Taiwan! Although not this year but since it happens every year anyway, I will look forward to it.

Taiwan on February 2013! Watch me! :)

Blessings ♥

Sunday, January 15, 2012

My new page, Project 366 is online on blogger

Hello!

My second year for Project 365. I started this daily photo diary last year influenced by my friend Marice. It was a lovely project so I'm continuing it this year. We have 366 days for 2012 because it's a leap year so for 2012 it is Project 366. Project 365 was available via my Facebook page and 365days.com but I discontinued the latter. Now, Project 366 is not only viewable by my friends on Facebook but it is also online on Blogger.



Please visit my other page as well, YEAR 2012 PROJECT 366, http://hahpidays366.blogspot.com/

Thank you.

Blessings ♥

Friday, January 13, 2012

Cellphone Dillema

I read and heard about Siri and Vangie but just every time I wonder who they are.  So Siri is iPhone's software assistant and knowledge navigator functioning as a PA while Vangie is the Filipino version. My friends have to update me because I am so not updated. I am not amused of the technology of the latest model of mobile phones. I dont know why but ganun lang talaga ako.


I remember when I was in college, I was a die hard 5110 lover. Nauso na ang 3210, 71something pero loyal talaga ako sa 5110 ko. Mind you it is always updated. The cutest case, the loveliest backlight, the sweetest ring tone, and the fanciest antenna. Remember the flashing antenna? Ha Ha. And definitely my load kahit pa eventually nauso ang drop call. :D


I remember I used to borrow my cousin's phone or my sister's para maiba lang. Then I'm shy to show it to my friends. I would have the latest model of Nokia (since my cousin is a dealer and supplier) pero feeling ko no cellphone models can top my 5110! nyeheheh. My friends would ask me, "Ano cellphone mo ngayon, Hap?" Then I'll answer, "Ericson or Nokia blah blah. Pero papalitan ko to next week. Di maganda." Tapos they'll laugh at me. Vaket?

So what is this all about? Well, right now, I am contemplating on getting a new phone. You see I have been using my company's phone for a year now (which they don't care about) but sometimes it's a hassle not to have your own and personal line but I'm kinda confuse what phone model I should get. People are pushing me to get the iphone 4s but goodness, ang mahal! Mahalia Perez sya. And nakakapagod ang touch screen. Keypads please?


I dont know. Bahala na si Batman! If we get the iPhone 4s, I might trade it with my husband's Samsung or my take Yaya's 39sgd worth na CP from 7-11. Basta ba maka text at tawag.

We'll see... I hope to get the best deal para naman masaya ako. Malamang Nokia ito.

Cellular phone dillema nga naman.

Blessings ♥